Settle to Carlisle Railway & Yorkshire Steam

Make your own way to our hotel in Skipton, where you meet our Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening.

This morning, we enjoy a ride on the charming Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway.  The preserved railway was part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley. On arrival at Bolton Abbey station, our coach picks us up and takes us to the city of Ripon. Here, you’ll have time to explore the imposing cathedral which dates back to the 7th century, wander around the many fascinating museums and bustling market square or take a walk along the canal-side. We continue to Ripley Castle, a Grade I listed 14th-century country house.  Here we include a guided tour of some of the castle rooms which include the Library, Drawing rooms, Tower room and Knights Chamber. After the tour, there’s time to explore the magnificent Walled gardens and grounds where a collection of specimen trees from around the world can be found.

This morning, we board the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and enjoy a fantastic round trip from the town of Oxenhope.  The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a 5-mile-long branch line that served mills and villages in the Worth Valley and is now a heritage railway line that has been delightfully restored. Afterwards, we travel to the delightful quaint town of Haworth, which was home to the famous Brontë Sisters.   You have time to explore the historic cobbled Main Street or visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum (entrance not included). Our next stop is Skipton, here we board a traditional canal boat for our included cruise along the most scenic waterways in Yorkshire, the Leeds and Liverpool canal. There’s fascinating stories of how the canal delivered the lifeblood of the industrial revolution through Yorkshire. 

Today we enjoy a return journey on the Settle-Carlisle Railway so you can sit back and admire the scenery from both directions. This line pays testament to the ingenuity of 19th-century railway engineers as it travels over 72 miles through the North Pennines, Eden Valley and Yorkshire Dales, crossing 19 viaducts and passing through 14 tunnels. The Ribblehead viaduct is a particular highlight with 24 arches and a highest point of 32 metres.

After breakfast you are free to check out of our hotel and depart at leisure.